Among the Edain and Dúnedain, the Elvish words for "Elf" and "star" were often confused, since they sounded similar. Thus Elendil or Elvellon was used by them to mean "Elf-friend", though it actually signifies "Devoted to the Stars".

The concept of the "Elf-friend" is recurrent in Tolkien's legendarium, both in meaning and in name. The name Ælfwine/Elfwine is an actual Old English personal name that means "Elf-friend" and has survived in modern times as Alboin or Alwin/Elwin. This word has been the basis for several characters and terms: